The company allows me to make decisions that are needed. I like the freedom and the work atmosphere. Overall, it’s a good place to work, and I feel trusted to make decisions on my own.
Al Cox
Gas & Chiller Plant Operator, 22 Years
Jennifer Caporale
Supervisor, Environmental Lab, 16 Years
The sky’s the limit. No one has ever told me I can’t further my profession. I’m able to take classes to develop myself further and there’s no glass ceiling. Being a woman, that’s important to me.
Maggie Emersen-Rich
System Protection Apprentice, 14 Years
It’s cheesy to say my favorite part of the BWL is the people, but it really is. BWL is one of the first places I’ve worked that really believes in community, not just the Lansing community, but a community within the workforce itself. They create a sense of community and allow you to flourish.
Tony Deshazer
Customer Service Representative, 11 Years
I came to the BWL because I wanted somewhere I could have a long career. Now that I’m here, it’s a great feeling when I can help customers establish payment plans to help catch up on their utility bills. I’ve had people crying and thanking me, and it makes me feel good to help and pull someone out of a tough situation.
Will Mills
Senior Windows Systems Administrator, 3 Years
Everyone here on every level lives the Hometown People, Hometown Power motto every day. People say it and actually mean it—it drives this company. We’re not just numbers, we’re people and so are each of our customers.
Dan Barnes
Sr. Human Resources Generalist, 15 Years
When you’re young, you think you’re going to bounce around jobs. But when I could move within the company and have exposure to different jobs at the BWL instead, I didn’t need to leave.
Archie Emmons
Line worker, 22 Years
I plan to work for BWL my entire life. Giving back to our community and ratepayers is important to me—that’s my favorite part of my position: customer interaction.
Rebecca Rostar
Organizational Change Management Administrator, 14 Years
I’m inspired by BWL’s commitment to be environmentally thoughtful about the way we produce power and distribute electricity and water. We’re trying to be conscious of what we do socially and environmentally.
Calvin Jones
Director of Governmental Affairs & Community Relations, 45 Years
It’s always been a family atmosphere at the BWL—an atmosphere of togetherness, being successful, learning new things and making not only your job easier, but someone else’s job easier. It’s a total team effort and by doing that, it’s like building a family. We’re not exclusive of anyone, we’re inclusive of everyone.
Cody Clark
Primary Metering Specialist, 6 Years
I’m surrounded by good people who are easy to work with, and that helps the whole job out. There’s good communication between each other, and everyone has a positive attitude.
Amy Adamy
Communications Manager, 9 Years
The BWL listens and makes changes to fit a new generation in the workforce. I pitched paid parental leave, and saw it through to implementation. Now, new parents get paid time to bond with their child. BWL really believes in work-life balance, and supporting their people.
Bryan Gehrcke
Manager of T&D Engineering & Technology Services, 7 Years
BWL gives me the opportunity to not only share my experience and knowledge, but to also get involved and learn other sides of the business. The work is so diverse. You get exposure to so many different areas and the opportunity to learn from each.
Rob Hodge
Director of Electric Production, 14 Years
We’re doing things that are cutting edge, and I love having the opportunity to be a part of it. No idea is too big. Whatever you want to make your career, you have the opportunity to do that. You control your destiny here.
Chris Maclennan
Construction Mechanic Leader, 16 Years
The sense of community here at the BWL is inspiring. During COVID, I had the idea to collect cans and bottles from coworkers and donate the deposit money to our Pennies for Power charity. I wanted to give back to our customers and help the people that are struggling to pay their utilities bills.
Jake Spedoske
Lead Supervisor, Water & Steam Distribution, 17 Years
The opportunity for growth they provide is unmatched. I hired in with no water experience and after years of learning, moved into the lead supervisor position. The sky’s the limit once you get in here. You can do the job you want and even get an education.
James Sweeney
Maintenance Mechanic Crew Leader at Dye Plant, 24 Years
The group of people I work with are like a family. We work well together and we’ll do things together outside of work – union employees and management alike.
Clarence Johnson
Instrument and Control Technician Specialist, 23 Years
This is a good place to work. The people here are good to work with and easy to get along with.
Robert Murphy
Gas Plant Chiller Operator, 42 Years
The job opportunities here are amazing. I came in just out of the Navy and BWL trained me to do everything I needed to enter as a Power Plant Operator. I was willing to learn and now I’m operating the Gas Plant.
Joen Turner
Work Management Analyst, 6 Years
I’ve been very blessed to work with managers who make me feel valued and heard, and I feel very comfortable communicating with them. They’re open to continuous improvement and listening to my ideas.
David Beck
Journey Person Maintenance Mechanic, 9 Years
This is my hometown, and I wanted to be close to home. The people I work with are great and there's a great variety of people to work with – we have older people, younger people, rural people, city people, all kinds of people!
Christopher Kowatch
Bulk Power Controller Senior, 23 Years
If you want to be at a company that truly cares about its employees from the top down, BWL is it. They’re really trying to better their employees, while also attracting the best talent.
Wahida Tina
Mechanical Engineer, 5 Years
BWL is a diverse, multicultural environment, and it’s a good working environment with so much to do. I’ve volunteered at diversity events that give me the opportunity to present myself and my culture. It’s very inspiring. It’s open and encouraging all the time to do something new.
Tony Green
Lead Supervisor of CMC, 18 Years
It’s a testament to the industry’s stability that the BWL has 135 years of service to the community. They’ll keep you employed and make sure you’re taken care of through everything, and that’s something most companies can’t promise you.
Dominic Brito
Desktop Support Technician, 6 Years
I started at BWL through 1st S.T.E.P. I liked that not only are you getting a paid internship, but you’re also getting experience, your foot in the door to be hired in a fulltime job with benefits, people are familiar with you and you get a scholarship at the end.
Heather Shawa
Chief Financial Officer, 8 Years
There are so many different functions, job opportunities and skill sets required to maintain a public utility. It’s a highly regulated industry. There are traditional, professional and field service roles, such as line workers, accountants and chemists. There’s so much opportunity with the variety of skill sets and positions.
Andre Manuel
Substation Manager, 25 Years
The relationships at the BWL are exceptional. We have a family-oriented environment where everyone gets along and respects one another. Whether it’s in a meeting or out in the field, everybody feels appreciated and heard.